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Of all the systems in the human body, undoubtedly the spinal column is one of the most complex. Within this complex structure is an intricate arrangement of vertebrae, discs, nerves, muscles, and ligaments. It’s that complexity that gives the spine its many functions. Of course, it’s also what makes the spine one of the most vulnerable structures in the body. And, even though spine conditions can occur to anyone at any time, especially due to injury, older folks are far more susceptible to degenerative spine conditions, which are medical conditions that develop over time. As we age, our bodies naturally have taken more of a toll as the years have worn on, making each and every one of us more susceptible to suffering conditions of the spine related to the years of stress and burden we’ve endured throughout life. Following is more information from spine specialists in Morristown and throughout the country regarding the most common of these degenerative spine conditions, including osteoarthritis, spinal stenosis, and degenerative disc disease. Continue reading →

Back pain is a very common problem for many individuals, especially among adults. However, it is much less likely that a man will seek the help of a spine surgeon than a woman will. Even though men are much more prone to developing back pain since their work commonly requires some form of manual labor, they seek medical attention less often. There are many different causes of back pain in men; some are as natural as aging while other causes can need surgery to correct. It is very important for men to seek medical attention of a spine surgeon to rule out anything serious. Here are some of the most common causes of back pain in men. Continue reading →

Chronic back pain can be more than just physically taxing; it can also wear on a person’s emotions. When one can gain a clear understanding of how chronic pain is affecting them, it is more likely that they can talk to a doctor or a spinal surgeon who can help alleviate some of the pain, or at least make it more manageable. Patients who grasp some level of understanding their chronic back pain are more likely to benefit in terms of finding emotional support, are more effective at finding a sustainable pain management plan and of being able to cope with the pain. Aside from the most obvious problems associated with chronic back pain, there are some areas that are worth knowing about. For those who recognize that they are dealing with chronic back pain, it is important to talk to a NJ spinal surgeon to see what types of treatment options or pain management techniques are likely to be most effective in their particular situation.Continue reading →

Many times individuals complain about experiencing back pain that is associated with drastic changes in the weather. In some cases individuals claim that they can predict cold weather is coming long before the announcement by their local weather man. There is no doubt that many people experience back pain that seems to worsen when winter sets in and especially when the temperature falls to below freezing. The question is not so much what causes seasonal back pain, as what options do we have when it strikes? Continue reading →

A disc in your body is the cushioning pads that are between the bones that make up your spinal cord. The purpose of these discs is to support the movement in the spinal column and to support the impact your body experiences. The discs are constructed in a way that they resemble a jelly donut because they are soft in the middle and tougher on the outsides. When the middle portion of the disc ruptures it is called herniation.

The symptoms of a herniated disc can vary depending on where the disc is and how big it is. If you are lucky, and the herniated disc is not pressed up against a nerve, you may not have any symptoms whatsoever. However, it if it pressing up against a nerve, you will experience pain, numbness, or weakness in the part of the body that the nerve is connected to. Here are different symptoms that may be signs that you have a herniated disc. Continue reading →

Spinal curvature is a sign of a disease by the name of scoliosis. Infantile scoliosis is diagnosed for children under three years old and juvenile scoliosis is reserved for those from four to ten. Everyone’s spine has a slight natural curve to it, but those with scoliosis have a spine that seems to curve too much. Instead of a nearly straight “l”, the sufferers back looks more like a “C” or an “S”. Here is the run down on the causes, signs and symptoms, tests, treatment options, and a general outlook for those who have Scoliosis in NJ. Continue reading →

There are many adjectives that can be used to describe a pain. It is important that you are able to convey your message to a spine doctor in Millburn, NJ and tell them exactly what kind of pain you are feeling. The better the description, the more information the doctor has about that symptom. Here are a variety of different ways that you can express your pain to those around you.

Back Pain

Trying to describe how a pain feels can be difficult at first and frustrating. Instead of descriptive hints to explain the extent of what you are feeling you can only come up with “it hurts”. It is challenging for doctors to evaluate pain because it is experienced by everyone differently. It is highly subjective: what hurts for one person may not hurt at all for another. But where doctors generally begin is by asking how much it hurts on a scale of one to ten. The doctor will then describe the possible results. If a pain gets a 0 or a 1 then it is next to nothing. If you pick a ten, it is the worst pain that you have ever felt in your life. Again, the subjective change seems to limit the accuracy of this scale for each individual. Continue reading →

The first question that most people ask about common back pains is what exactly is causing the pain. Strained and stretched muscles is one of the most common causes of back pain. Past injuries that may have damaged the tissue, muscle, or bones of the back is another culprit. A herniated or slipped disc can cause pain. Osteoporosis, obesity, long-term poor posture, and pregnancy are some other things that can cause back pain. Continue reading →

One of the best ways to protect spinal health is to practice good posture. Poor posture is the root cause of many of the most common back problems. One of the easiest ways to make sure the intricate structures of the spine are kept healthy is to practice good posture. For many years people have thought of good posture as a simply cosmetic action, but it is in fact critical in helping reduce back and neck pain. Individuals who have to stand or sit in one position for long periods of time will find good posture and adequate back support to be very beneficial. Posture is a matter of developing a habit and when poor posture is the habit back pain and even spinal damage can occur. Continue reading →